MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Twice in the first five races of NASCAR’s season-ending, 10-race Chase for the championship, Juan Pablo Montoya’s frustration because of something that happened on the track has been aimed at Mark Martin, a fellow contender for the title.

The first time he was annoyed that Martin, running just ahead of him, faked him out on a late restart. And last week, Martin ran into him from behind, denying both a solid finish.

But for all his frustration with Martin in the heat of the moment, Montoya has often sought the respected veteran’s advice as he made his transition to NASCAR racing.

“I ask Mark Martin a lot of questions and he helps me out a lot,” Montoya said Friday as the Sprint Cup Series arrived at Martinsville Speedway, the sight of Sunday’s race.

During his Formula One days, Montoya said, rivals not only don’t give other racers advice, they revel in watching them struggle trying to correct problems. NASCAR is different, he said.

“It makes no sense. It’s crazy, but he does it and he helps,” he said. “There’s something great about this sport. People are really open about it. Once you’re on the race track, you are by yourself. … Off the race track, you can go to anybody and they’ll help you.”

Martin is among the most sought-after for advice, and the most willing to help.

“First of all, one of the biggest forms of flattery is to have someone come and want to talk to me and want my opinion or advice,” he said. “It’s very flattering.”

Tony Stewart, another former open-wheel racer, lists Martin, Jeff Burton and former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Bobby Labonte among his early mentors as he made his transition.

Now a two-time series champion and owner of his own race teams, Stewart said he also was surprised to see a different culture than what he was used to in his IndyCar series days.

“I think it’s because the guys respect each other more here, but at the same time, if the guys that you’re racing with are out there making mistakes, they’re putting you at just as much risk, especially in a 500-lap race,” Stewart said. “At some point you are going to be around them and if they’re doing things wrong, that puts you in a bad spot.”

Newman, Gordon to start up front at Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Jimmie Johnson finally wasn’t flawless at Martinsville.

The points leader and winner in five of the past six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races on the smallest, tightest oval in the series qualified 15th Friday.

Ryan Newman won the pole for Sunday’s race with a lap at 96.795 mph, followed by Jeff Gordon at 96.519. Mark Martin, who trails Johnson and Gordon at the midpoint of the 10-race playoff, will start fourth, giving Hendrick Motorsports two cars in the front two rows.